Verdict

Crowning Jewel is arguably the pick of those with experience on his fourth to Little Hercules over C&D in December with Helena Of Troy unraced since finishing second at Southwell last July. Lure Of The Night should improve on his fourth at Carlisle in October but several newcomers catch the eye here on breeding. Howard Johnson's Grand Vintage is a full brother to winning hurdler/chaser Santa's Son and Jackson Cage will be interesting when tackling hurdles. But Alan Swinbank's record in bumpers here is second to none so TRICKSOFTHETRADE, a half-brother to winners on the Flat in Italy, is likely to be fully wound-up for his debut and could have too much speed for these.

Formwatch

Big Geordie 100-1 (10-11) Well in rear, weakened before halfway, 14th of 16, well behind Dark Glacier (11-11) at Newcastle 2m NH flat (6) sft.

Crosstek (IRE) 40-1 (10-9) Always behind, pulled up halfway, in a race won by Royal Swain (10-12) at Carlisle 1m 6f 3yo nhf (5) sft in Nov '09, 12 ran.

Crowning Jewel 14-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, pushed along 4f out, headway 3f out, ridden and no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 13, 5l behind Little Hercules (11-4) at Catterick 2m NH flat (6) gd in Dec.

Grand Vintage (IRE) Basanta gelding out of Rivers Town Rosie.

Jackson Cage (IRE) Oscar gelding out of Phenics Allstar.

Long Range Pivotal gelding out of Flight Of Fancy.

Sous Mix (FR) 5-1 (11-6) Prominent, chased leader over 4f out until over 2f out, soon beaten, 5th of 12, 17l behind Oscara Dara (11-6) at Southwell 2m Nat Hunt Flat (3-6yo) (AW) (6) std in Dec.

Tricksofthetrade (IRE) Mull Of Kintyre gelding out of Soden.

Trucking Along (IRE) 7-2fav (10-9) Led after about 3f, headed 4f out, ridden over 2f out, soon beaten, 3rd of 15, 27l behind Dark Glacier (11-0) at Kelso 2m NH flat (6) sft in Nov.

Helena Of Troy 40-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, chased winner over 3f out, soon no impression, 2nd of 9, 8l behind Mr Jay Dee (11-2) at Southwell 2m NH flat (6) gd in Jul.

Tuilan Milan mare out of Tui.

Cauldron Bollin Eric gelding out of Witch's Brew.

Go Teescomponents 14-1 (10-0) In rear and green, tailed off halfway, 11th of 13, 46l behind Broadbackbob (10-12) at Catterick 2m cond & am NH flat (6) gs in Jan.

Lure Of The Night (IRE) 9-2 (10-12) Close up, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 12, 12l behind Opera North (10-12) at Carlisle 1m 6f 3yo nhf (5) sft in Oct.

Way To Finish 50-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, headway over 2f out, soon ridden, every chance inside final furlong, no extra towards finish, 4th of 9, 1 3/4l behind Felix Yonger (11-4) at Musselburgh 2m NH flat (5) gd in Jan.

Skiddaw Secret 33-1 (10-10) Led early, tracked leaders, took keen hold, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 7, 7l behind Newdane Dancer (10-7) at Wetherby 1m 5f fll 4yo N H flat (6) sft in Jan.